Alison Foley-Rothrock

Alison is a mother, a wife, an activist, and a lover of life. She started a non-profit called the Red Tent Initiative to help society’s most vulnerable, particularly those who have been abused and exploited, to defend their rights by amplifying their voices. Alison has been practicing immigration and nationality law for over 11 years and believes that success is not about how much money we make, but about having a maximum positive impact on the world around us.

What is your business? The Red Tent, through Foley Immigration Law, provides legal representation to foreign nationals and their families so they can work and live in the U.S. legally while also assisting victims of crime, particularly domestic violence and human trafficking.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? I believe that I can do bigger and better things when I’m not chained to a desk 50+ hours a week.

Three wishes: 1) A safe home where people who have been abused and exploited can be accepted and loved. 2) Continued and growing support from the community. 3) That we’ll be able to create a long, lasting legacy of helping many, many people.

Hardest thing about starting your business? Making time to recharge! I love the people I’m helping, but it took me time to find balance.

Business win? Just last week I helped a couple adopt a baby. The foreign-born spouse had been in the U.S. since he was a child with a temporary citizenship status, but he and his husband were finally able to marry and he now has a green card and a beautiful baby girl!

Why Lakeland? Lakeland is the best! It has everything I love about cities: arts, culture, and diversity, with a small-town sense of community and a lot of love.

Favorite things to do in Lakeland? Eat, take in the arts, and enjoy nature with my family and friends.

How has Catapult helped you? Catapult inspires me, helps me make connections with others who are as driven as I want to be, and offers membership at a cost that doesn’t require me to live in a poor house in order to follow my dreams.